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Chilly Winds
2021 American Fiction Award Winner in General
Taz Blackwell, former environmental negotiator and now a trouble-seeking drinker and romantic charmer, tries to find a new life and love against a backdrop of espionage, corporate plunderers, and devious diplomats.
Escaping a failed marriage, Taz moves to the island of Chincoteague on Virginia's Atlantic Coast, where he explores friendships with a cast of small-town misfits and romance with a beautiful but wary divorcee. Meanwhile, he fights a corporate land grab on the shore and a shady billion-dollar mining play in the international Arctic.
Why is a Chinese mining conglomerate stealing the land underneath a traditional black community on Virginia's Eastern Shore? Why is the Russian ambassador to Iceland trying to open southern Greenland to mining? Why does Taz interest the ambassador's beautiful mistress? The answers are in Chilly Winds, a tour de force that will appeal to mystery lovers, adventure addicts, and espionage fans everywhere.
Taz Blackwell, former environmental negotiator and now a trouble-seeking drinker and romantic charmer, tries to find a new life and love against a backdrop of espionage, corporate plunderers, and devious diplomats.
Escaping a failed marriage, Taz moves to the island of Chincoteague on Virginia's Atlantic Coast, where he explores friendships with a cast of small-town misfits and romance with a beautiful but wary divorcee. Meanwhile, he fights a corporate land grab on the shore and a shady billion-dollar mining play in the international Arctic.
Why is a Chinese mining conglomerate stealing the land underneath a traditional black community on Virginia's Eastern Shore? Why is the Russian ambassador to Iceland trying to open southern Greenland to mining? Why does Taz interest the ambassador's beautiful mistress? The answers are in Chilly Winds, a tour de force that will appeal to mystery lovers, adventure addicts, and espionage fans everywhere.
414 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 10, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 3, 2022
I loved reading about Chincoteague, one of my favorite places. The James Bond nature of Taz I found eye rolling at times, though.
July 9, 2026
Chilly Winds is a thought provoking political thriller that skillfully blends espionage, environmental issues, and international intrigue into an engaging and intelligent narrative. Brooks Birdwell Yeager delivers a novel that balances global political tensions with personal transformation, creating a story that is both suspenseful and emotionally engaging.
One of the novel's greatest strengths is Taz Blackwell. As a former environmental negotiator searching for a fresh start after personal setbacks, he is a layered and relatable protagonist. His journey from personal disappointment to confronting powerful political and corporate forces gives the story emotional weight while making his evolution feel authentic.
The novel also excels in its intricate plotting. From the quiet coastal communities of Virginia's Eastern Shore to the geopolitical tensions surrounding Greenland and the Arctic, Yeager constructs a narrative where local conflicts and international interests intersect naturally. The combination of espionage, political maneuvering, and corporate ambition keeps the suspense building throughout.
Beyond its thrilling storyline, Chilly Winds explores timely themes of environmental stewardship, political influence, corporate power, and the human cost of global ambition. These ideas are woven seamlessly into the narrative, adding depth without slowing the story's momentum.
Overall, Chilly Winds is a compelling political thriller that combines intelligent storytelling, memorable characters, and international suspense. Brooks Birdwell Yeager crafts an engaging novel that will appeal to readers who enjoy sophisticated thrillers with real-world relevance and high-stakes intrigue.
One of the novel's greatest strengths is Taz Blackwell. As a former environmental negotiator searching for a fresh start after personal setbacks, he is a layered and relatable protagonist. His journey from personal disappointment to confronting powerful political and corporate forces gives the story emotional weight while making his evolution feel authentic.
The novel also excels in its intricate plotting. From the quiet coastal communities of Virginia's Eastern Shore to the geopolitical tensions surrounding Greenland and the Arctic, Yeager constructs a narrative where local conflicts and international interests intersect naturally. The combination of espionage, political maneuvering, and corporate ambition keeps the suspense building throughout.
Beyond its thrilling storyline, Chilly Winds explores timely themes of environmental stewardship, political influence, corporate power, and the human cost of global ambition. These ideas are woven seamlessly into the narrative, adding depth without slowing the story's momentum.
Overall, Chilly Winds is a compelling political thriller that combines intelligent storytelling, memorable characters, and international suspense. Brooks Birdwell Yeager crafts an engaging novel that will appeal to readers who enjoy sophisticated thrillers with real-world relevance and high-stakes intrigue.
July 5, 2026
Taz is a strong main character who has worked for the govt. in the past. He is occasionally called in when his services are necessary. He also has a kind soul for his fellow man (provided they are on the right side. This book is set in and around my beloved Chincoteague Island. He must travel overseas for some of his work to assist Tobytown from becoming a drilling site for minerals. The person standing in the way of the bad guys own a special deed from Colonial times which gives him the right to control all the subsurface on the west side of Accomack County. The bad guys will do anything they can to get that deed (include murder), while the good guys will go to any degree necessary to protect that right.
This book was my July read for the 20th anniversary of our local library to read something by a local or Virginia author or a book set in Virginia.
Thanks Mr. Yeager for taking me back to the islands and a decent read.
This book was my July read for the 20th anniversary of our local library to read something by a local or Virginia author or a book set in Virginia.
Thanks Mr. Yeager for taking me back to the islands and a decent read.
June 21, 2021
This was an enjoyable book, it made pleasant reading. It was a good idea having a list of the characters at the start..I did have to go back a few times and check who was who. I also liked how so many observations from nature were thrown in, types of birds are important and although that part of America is totally unfamiliar to me, it is well conveyed how people on that island live in close connection with nature and are subject to the elements.
Some of the exploits of our main guy are a little bit in the James Bond league, the most beautiful Russian spy falling for him as well as a number of other beauties..just like that. Hmmm, then being equally at home in Denmark, Greenland and all, knowing the best restaurants and dishes everywhere is not entirely likely, but fine, it is fiction..and as I mentioned, makes good reading.
Some of the exploits of our main guy are a little bit in the James Bond league, the most beautiful Russian spy falling for him as well as a number of other beauties..just like that. Hmmm, then being equally at home in Denmark, Greenland and all, knowing the best restaurants and dishes everywhere is not entirely likely, but fine, it is fiction..and as I mentioned, makes good reading.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2022
Decent concept but several issues
I like the core concept of the book but several things bug me. I feel like the plot is meant to be realistic but the main character makes James Bond look like an awkward teenager. Every woman is either having sex with him or wishes she was. It feels out of place juxtaposed with a story we are supposed to take seriously. My second complaint is too much name dropping. All these products that I think are supposed to add detail feel like a cop out. Better writing would describe the taste experience of the wine or the way the Jazz makes you feel instead of just hoping the reader fills in the blanks. Finally, in a similar vein, there is too many passages of various song lyrics, including the closing passage of the book. You write a book and finish it with someone else's words? Disappointing.
I like the core concept of the book but several things bug me. I feel like the plot is meant to be realistic but the main character makes James Bond look like an awkward teenager. Every woman is either having sex with him or wishes she was. It feels out of place juxtaposed with a story we are supposed to take seriously. My second complaint is too much name dropping. All these products that I think are supposed to add detail feel like a cop out. Better writing would describe the taste experience of the wine or the way the Jazz makes you feel instead of just hoping the reader fills in the blanks. Finally, in a similar vein, there is too many passages of various song lyrics, including the closing passage of the book. You write a book and finish it with someone else's words? Disappointing.
March 19, 2021
Here is a story about Taz Blackwell, a renaissance man who has left a life of international diplomacy and a failed marriage and moved to Chincoteague Island on the Eastern Shore. Accompany Taz as he bicycles around the island, birding, meeting his neighbors, visiting the local bookstore, and sitting in on a few jam sessions. Enjoy the ride as he single handedly foils the machinations of a Russian mobster intent on suborning an Arctic treaty, and a sleazy lawyer trying to cheat Taz's neighbors out of their homes and farms, while still finding time to fall into and out of bed and love with beautiful women. The descriptions are lush, the characters are authentic, and visitors to Chincoteague will recognize many beloved local landmarks, both past and present. A very enjoyable read.
August 17, 2025
We visit Chincoteague frequently, and I met the author when I purchased this book at the Chincoteague Farmers Market, which is always a delight. The story is fascinating, leaning greatly on the author’s previous career and his love for Chincoteague (and soccer!). I’m assuming many of the referenced lyrics and poems are based on author favorites as well. My biggest critiques of this book relate to Taz’s love/sexual interests, but for a debut novel from a local author, overall I was pleasantly surprised.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews